Section 1-9 : Exponential and Logarithm Equations

1. Find all the solutions to 12 − 4e7 +3 x =

7 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Step 1
There isn’t all that much to do here for this equation. First, we need to isolate the exponential on one
side by itself with a coefficient of one.
5
−4e7 +3 x =
−5 ⇒ e7 +3 x =
4
Step 2
Now all we need to do is take the natural logarithm of both sides and then solve for x.
5
ln ( e7 +3 x ) = ln  
4
5
7 + 3x = ln  
4
1  5 
x = ln   − 7  =
−2.25895
3  4 

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

2
1 10 − 3e z
2. Find all the solutions to = −2 z
. If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Step 1
There isn’t all that much to do here for this equation. First, we need to isolate the exponential on one
side by itself with a coefficient of one.
2 2
−9 =−3e z −2 z
⇒ ez −2 z
=3
Step 2
Now all we need to do is take the natural logarithm of both sides and then solve for z.

(
ln e z
2
−2 z
) = ln (3)
ln ( 3)
z2 − 2z =
z 2 − 2 z − ln ( 3) =
0

Now, before proceeding with the solution here let’s pause and make sure that we don’t get too excited
about the “strangeness” of the quadratic above. If we’d had the quadratic,
z2 − 2z − 5 =0
for instance, we’d know that all we would need to do is use the quadratic formula to get the solutions.
That’s all we need to as well for the quadratic that we have from our work. Of course we don’t have a 5
we have a ln(3), but ln(3) is just a number and so we can use the quadratic formula to find the solutions
here as well. Here is the work for that.
− ( −2 ) ± ( −2 ) − 4 (1) ( − ln ( 3) ) 2 ± 4 + 4 ln ( 3)
2

z =
2 (1) 2
2 ± 4 (1 + ln ( 3) ) 2 ± 2 1 + ln ( 3)
= = 1 1 + ln ( 3) =
=± −0.4487, 2.4487
2 2

Notice that we did a little simplification on the root. This doesn’t need to be done, but can make the
exact solution a little easier to deal with. Also, depending upon your preferences either the exact or
decimal solution can be used.

Before leaving this solution we should again make a point that not all quadratics will be the “simple”
type of quadratics that you may be used to solving from an Algebra class. They can, and often will be,
messier that those. That doesn’t mean that you can’t solve them. They are, for all intents and purposes,
identical to the types of problems you are used to working. The only real difference is that they
numbers are a little messier.

So, don’t get too excited about this kind of problem. They will happen on occasion and you are capable
of solving them!

3. Find all the solutions to 2t − te6 t −1 =

0 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : Be careful to not cancel terms that shouldn’t be canceled. Remember that you can’t cancel
something unless you know for a fact that it won’t ever be zero. Also, note that if you can cancel
something then it can be factored out of the equation.

Step 1
First notice that we can factor a t out of both terms to get,
t ( 2 − e6 t −1 ) =
0

Be careful to not cancel the t from both terms. When solving equations you can only cancel something
if you know for a fact that it won’t be zero. If the term can be zero and you cancel it you will miss
solutions and that will the case here.

Step 2
We now have a product of terms that is equal to zero so we know,
=t 0 OR
= 2 − e6 t −1 0
So, we have one solution already, t = 0 , and again note that if we had canceled the t at the beginning
we would have missed this solution. Now all we need to do is solve the equation involving the
exponential.

Step 3
We can now solve the exponential equation in the same manner as the first couple of problems in this
section.

e6 t −1 = 2
ln ( e6 t −1 ) = ln ( 2 )
6t − 1 =ln ( 2 )
1
t = (1 + ln ( 2 ) ) =0.2822
6

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

(12 x + 3) e x −2 .
2
4. Find all the solutions to 4 x +=
1 If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : Be careful to not cancel terms that shouldn’t be canceled. Remember that you can’t cancel
something unless you know for a fact that it won’t ever be zero. Also, note that if you can cancel
something then it can be factored out of the equation.

Step 1
It may not be apparent at first glance, but with some work we can do a little factoring on this equation.
To do that first move everything to one side and then the factoring might become a little more
apparent.
4 x + 1 − (12 x + 3) e x
2
−2
=0
( 4 x + 1) − 3 ( 4 x + 1) e x −2 =
2
0

( 4 x + 1) (1 − 3e x −2 ) =
2
0

Note that in the second step we put parenthesis around the first couple of terms solely to make the
factoring in the next step a little more apparent. It does not need to be done in practice.

Be careful to not cancel the 4 x + 1 from both terms. When solving equations you can only cancel
something if you know for a fact that it won’t be zero. If the term can be zero and you cancel it you will
miss solutions, and that will be the case here.

Step 2
We now have a product of terms that is equal to zero so we know,
 2
=4x +1 0 OR
= 1 − 3e x − 2 0

1
From the first equation we can quickly arrive at one solution, x = − , and again note that if we had
4
canceled the 4 x + 1 at the beginning we would have missed this solution. Now all we need to do is
solve the equation involving the exponential.

Step 3
We can now solve the exponential equation in the same manner as the first couple of problems in this
section.

2 1
ex −2
=
3

(
ln e x
2
−2
) = ln  13 
1
x2 − 2 = ln  
3
1
x 2= 2 + ln  
3
1
x=± 2 + ln   =
±0.9494
3

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

5. Find all the solutions to 2e3 y +8 − 11e5−10 y =

0 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : The best way to proceed here is to reduce the equation down to a single exponential.

Step 1
With both exponentials in the equation this may be a little difficult to solve, so let’s do some work to
reduce this down to an equation with a single exponential.
2e3 y +8 = 11e5−10 y
e3 y +8 11
=
e5−10 y 2
11
e13 y +3 =
2

Note that we could have divided by either exponential but by dividing by the one that we did we avoid a
negative exponent on the y, which is sometimes easy to lose track of.
Step 2
Now all we need to do is take the logarithm of both sides and solve for y.
 11 
ln ( e13 y +3 ) = ln  
2
 11 
13 y + 3 = ln  
2
1   11  
y =  ln   − 3  =
−0.09963
13   2  

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

6. Find all the solutions to 14e6− x + e12 x −7 =

0 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : The best way to proceed here is to reduce the equation down to a single exponential.

Solution
With both exponentials in the equation this may be a little difficult to solve, so let’s do some work to
reduce this down to an equation with a single exponential.
14e6− x = −e12 x −7
e12 x −7
= −14
e6− x
e13 x −13 = −14

At this point we can stop. We know that exponential functions are always positive and there is no way
for this to be negative and therefore there is no solution to this equation.

Note that if we hadn’t caught the exponent being negative our next step would have been to take the
logarithm of both side and we also know that we can only take the logarithm of positive numbers and so
again we’d see that there is no solution to this equation.

 2x −1 
7. Find all the solutions to 1 − 8ln  =14 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.
 7 

Step 1
There isn’t all that much to do here for this equation. First, we need to isolate the logarithm on one side
by itself with a coefficient of one.
  2x −1   2x −1  13
1 − 8ln  =14 ⇒ ln  =−
 7   7  8
Step 2
Now all we need to do is exponentiate both sides using e (because we’re working with the natural
logarithm) and then solve for x.
 2 x −1  13
ln   −
e  7 
=e 8

2 x − 1 − 138
=e
7
1 − 
13
x =1 + 7e 8  =1.1892
2 

Step 3
We’re dealing with logarithms so we need to make sure that we won’t have any problems with any of
our potential solutions. In other words, we need to make sure that if we plug in the potential solution
into the original equation we won’t end up taking the logarithm of a negative number or zero.

Plugging in we can see that we won’t be taking the logarithm of a negative number and so the solution
is,
1 − 
13
x =1 + 7e 8  =1.1892
2 

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

8. Find all the solutions to ln ( y − 1) =1 + ln ( 3 y + 2 ) . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : Don’t forget about the basic logarithm properties and how they can be used to combine multiple
logarithms into a single logarithm.

Step 1
We need to reduce this down to an equation with a single logarithm and to do that we first should
rewrite it a little. Upon doing that we can use the basic logarithm properties to combine the two
logarithms into a single logarithm as follows,
ln ( y − 1) − ln ( 3 y + 2 ) =
1
 y −1 
ln   =1
 3y + 2 

Step 2
Now all we need to do is exponentiate both sides using e (because we’re working with the natural
logarithm) and then solve for y.

 y −1 
ln  
 3 y+2 
e = e1
y −1
=e
3y + 2
y − 1= e ( 3 y + 2 )= 3ey + 2e
(1 − 3e ) y =
1 + 2e
1 + 2e
y= = −0.8996
1 − 3e

Step 3
We’re dealing with logarithms so we need to make sure that we won’t have any problems with any of
our potential solutions. In other words, we need to make sure that if we plug in the potential solutions
into the original equation we won’t end up taking the logarithm of a negative number or zero.

Upon inspection we can quickly see that if we plug in our potential solution into the first logarithm we’ll
be taking the logarithm of a negative number. The same will be true for the second logarithm and so
y = −0.8996 can’t be a solution.

Because this was our only potential solution we know now that there will be no solutions to this
equation.

9. Find all the solutions to log ( w ) + log ( w − 21) =

2 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : Don’t forget about the basic logarithm properties and how they can be used to combine multiple
logarithms into a single logarithm.

Step 1
We need to reduce this down to an equation with a single logarithm and to do that we first should
rewrite it a little. Upon doing that we can use the basic logarithm properties to combine the two
logarithms into a single logarithm as follows,
log ( w ( w − 21) ) =
2
log ( w2 − 21w ) =
2

Step 2
Now all we need to do is exponentiate both sides using 10 (because we’re working with the common
logarithm) and then solve for y.
 log ( w2 − 21w ) =
2

10
(
log w2 − 21w ) = 102

w2 − 21w =
100
w2 − 21w − 100 =
0
( w − 25)( w + 4 ) =
0 ⇒ −4, w =
w= 25

Step 3
We’re dealing with logarithms so we need to make sure that we won’t have any problems with any of
our potential solutions. In other words, we need to make sure that if we plug either of the two potential
solutions into the original equation we won’t end up taking the logarithm of a negative number or zero.

Upon inspection we can quickly see that if we plug in w = −4 we will be taking a logarithm of a negative
number (in both of the logarithms in this case) and so w = −4 can’t be a solution. On the other hand, if
we plug in w = 25 we won’t be taking logarithms of negative numbers and so w = 25 is a solution.

In summary then, the only solution to the equation is : w = 25 .

10. Find all the solutions to 2 log ( z ) − log ( 7 z − 1) =

0 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : This problem can be worked in the same manner as the previous two or because each term is a
logarithm an easier solution would be to use the fact that,
If log b x log
= = b y then x y

Step 1
While we could use the same method we used in the previous couple of examples to solve this equation
there is an easier method. Because each of the terms is a logarithm and it’s all equal to zero we can use
the fact that,
If log b x log
= = b y then x y

So, a quick rewrite of the equation gives,

2 log
= ( z ) log ( 7 z − 1)
log
= ( z 2 ) log ( 7 z − 1)
Note that in order to use the fact above we need both logarithms to have coefficients of one so we also
had to make quick use of one of the logarithm properties to make sure we had a coefficient of one.

Step 2
Now all we need to do use the fact and solve for z.
2
z= 7z −1
z2 − 7z +1 =0

In this case we’ll need to use the quadratic formula to finish this out.
− ( −7 ) ± ( −7 ) − 4 (1)(1) 7 ± 45
2

=z = = 0.1459, 6.8541
2 (1) 2

Step 3
We’re dealing with logarithms so we need to make sure that we won’t have any problems with any of
our potential solutions. In other words, we need to make sure that if we plug either of the two potential
solutions into the original equation we won’t end up taking the logarithm of a negative number or zero.

In this case it is pretty easy to plug them in and see that neither of the two potential solutions will result
in taking logarithms of negative numbers and so both are solutions to the equation.

In summary then, the solutions to the equation are,

7 ± 45
=z = 0.1459, 6.8541
2

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used.

Before leaving this solution we should again make a point that not all quadratics will be the “simple”
type of quadratics that you may be used to solving from an Algebra class. They can, and often will be,
messier than those. That doesn’t mean that you can’t solve them. They are, for all intents and
purposes, identical to the types of problems you are used to working. The only real difference is that
the numbers are a little messier.

So, don’t get too excited about this kind of problem. They will happen on occasion and you are capable
of solving them!

16 17t − 2 + 11 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

11. Find all the solutions to=

Hint : These look a little different from the first few problems in this section, but they work in essentially
the same manner. The main difference is that we’re not dealing with e power or 10power and so there is no
obvious logarithm to use and so can use any logarithm.

Step 1
First we need to isolate the term with the exponent in it on one side by itself.
17t − 2 = 5
Step 2
At this point we need to take the logarithm of both sides so we can use logarithm properties to get the t
out of the exponent. It doesn’t matter which logarithm we use, but if we want a decimal value for the
answer it will need to be one that we can work with. For this solution we’ll use the natural logarithm.

Upon taking the logarithm we then need to use logarithm properties to get the t’s out of the exponent
at which point we can solve for t. Here is the rest of the work for this problem,
ln (17t − 2 ) = ln ( 5 )
ln ( 5 )
( t − 2 ) ln (17 ) =
ln ( 5 )
t −2=
ln (17 )
ln ( 5 )
x= 2+ 2.5681
=
ln (17 )

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used. Also note that if
you had used, say the common logarithm, you would get exactly the same answer.

12. Find all the solutions to 23−8 w − 7 =

11 . If there are no solutions clearly explain why.

Hint : These look a little different from the first few problems in this section, but they work in essentially
the same manner. The main difference is that we’re not dealing with e power or 10power and so there is no
obvious logarithm to use and so can use any logarithm.

Step 1
First we need to isolate the term with the exponent in it on one side by itself.
23−8 w = 18

Step 2
At this point we need to take the logarithm of both sides so we can use logarithm properties to get the
w out of the exponent. It doesn’t matter which logarithm we use, but if we want a decimal value for the
answer it will need to be one that we can work with. For this solution we’ll use the natural logarithm.

Upon taking the logarithm we then need to use logarithm properties to get the w’s out of the exponent
at which point we can solve for w. Here is the rest of the work for this problem,
 ln ( 23−8 w ) = ln (18 )
ln (18 )
( 3 − 8w ) ln ( 2 ) =
ln (18 )
3 − 8w =
ln ( 2 )

1 ln (18 ) 
w= 3 − =−0.1462
8 ln ( 2 ) 

Depending upon your preferences either the exact or decimal solution can be used. Also note that if
you had used, say the common logarithm, you would get exactly the same answer.

Compound Interest. If we put P dollars into an account that earns interest at a rate of r (written as a
decimal as opposed to the standard percent) for t years then,
a. if interest is compounded m times per year we will have,
tm
 r
A P 1 + 
=
 m
dollars after t years.

b. if interest is compounded continuously we will have,

A = Pe r t
dollars after t years.

13. We have $10,000 to invest for 44 months. How much money will we have if we put the money into
an account that has an annual interest rate of 5.5% and interest is compounded
(a) quarterly (b) monthly (c) continuously

Hint : There really isn’t a whole lot to these other than to identify the quantities and then plug into the
appropriate equation and compute the amount. Also note that you’ll need to make sure that you don’t
do too much in the way of rounding with the numbers here. A little rounding can lead to very large
errors in these kinds of computations.

Solution
(a) quarterly
From the problem statement we can see that,
5.5 44 11
P 10000
= r
= = 0.055 t
= =
100 12 3

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. Also
remember that t must be in years so we’ll need to convert to years.
 For this part we are compounding interest rate quarterly and that means it will compound 4 times per
year so we also then know that,
m=4

At this point all that we need to do is plug into the equation and run the numbers through a calculator
to compute the amount of money that we’ll have.
11
( 4)
 0.055  3 44
10000 1 +
A=  10000 (1.01375 ) 3 =
= 10000 (1.221760422 ) =
12217.60
 4 

So, we’ll have $12,217.60 in the account after 44 months.

(b) monthly
From the problem statement we can see that,
5.5 44 11
P 10000
= r
= = 0.055 t
= =
100 12 3

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. Also
remember that t must be in years so we’ll need to convert to years.

For this part we are compounding interest rate monthly and that means it will compound 12 times per
year and so we also then know that,
m = 12

At this point all that we need to do is plug into the equation and run the numbers through a calculator
to compute the amount of money that we’ll have.
11
(12 )
 0.055  3
10000 (1.00453333) =
10000 (1.222876562 ) =
44
10000 1 +
A=  = 12228.77
 12 

So, we’ll have $12,228.77 in the account after 44 months.

(c) continuously
From the problem statement we can see that,
5.5 44 11
P 10000
= r
= = 0.055 t
= =
100 12 3

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. Also
remember that t must be in years so we’ll need to convert to years.

For this part we are compounding continuously so we won’t have an m and will be using the
other equation and all we have all we need to do the computation so,
11 
( 0.055) 
=A 10000
= e 10000
= e0.2016666667 10000 (1.223440127
3
= ) 12234.40
So, we’ll have $12,234.40 in the account after 44 months.

Compound Interest. If we put P dollars into an account that earns interest at a rate of r (written as a
decimal as opposed to the standard percent) for t years then,
a. if interest is compounded m times per year we will have,
tm
 r
A P 1 + 
=
 m
dollars after t years.

b. if interest is compounded continuously we will have,

A = Pe r t
dollars after t years.

14. We are starting with $5000 and we’re going to put it into an account that earns an annual interest
rate of 12%. How long should we leave the money in the account in order to double our money if
interest is compounded
(a) quarterly (b) monthly (c) continuously

Hint : Identify the given quantities, plug into the appropriate equation and use the techniques from
earlier problem to solve for t.

Solution
(a) quarterly
From the problem statement we can see that,
12
A 10000
= P 5000
= =r = 0.12
100

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. Also, for
this part we are compounding interest rate quarterly and that means it will compound 4 times per year
so we also then know that,
m=4

Plugging into the equation gives us,

4t
 0.12  4t
10000 = 5000 1 +  = 5000 (1.03)
 4 

Using the techniques from this section we can solve for t.

 2 = 1.034t
ln ( 2 ) = ln (1.034t )
ln ( 2 ) = 4t ln (1.03)
ln ( 2 )
=t = 5.8624
4 ln (1.03)

So, we’ll double our money in approximately 5.8624 years.

(b) monthly
From the problem statement we can see that,
12
A 10000
= P 5000
= =r = 0.12
100

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. Also, for
this part we are compounding interest rate monthly and that means it will compound 12 times per year
so we also then know that,
m = 12

Plugging into the equation gives us,

12 t
 0.12  12t
10000 =5000 1 +  =5000 (1.01)
 12 

Using the techniques from this section we can solve for t.

2 = 1.0112t
ln ( 2 ) = ln (1.0112t )
ln ( 2 ) = 12t ln (1.01)
ln ( 2 )
=t = 5.8051
12 ln (1.01)

So, we’ll double our money in approximately 5.8051 years.

(c) continuously
From the problem statement we can see that,
12
A 10000
= P 5000
= =r = 0.12
100

Remember that the value of r must be given as a decimal, i.e. the percentage divided by 100. For this
part we are compounding continuously so we won’t have an m and will be using the other equation.
 Plugging into the continuously compounding interest equation gives,
10000 = 5000e0.12t

Now, solving this gives,

2 = e0.12t
ln ( 2 ) = ln ( e0.12t )
ln ( 2 ) = 0.12t
ln ( 2 )
=t = 5.7762
0.12

So, we’ll double our money in approximately 5.7762 years.

Exponential Growth/Decay. Many quantities in the world can be modeled (at least for a short time) by
the exponential growth/decay equation.
Q = Q0e k t
If k is positive we will get exponential growth and if k is negative we will get exponential decay.

15. A population of bacteria initially has 250 present and in 5 days there will be 1600 bacteria present.
(a) Determine the exponential growth equation for this population.
(b) How long will it take for the population to grow from its initial population of 250 to
a population of 2000?

Solution
(a) Determine the exponential growth equation for this population.

Hint : We have an equation with two unknowns and two values of the population at two times so use
these values to find the two unknowns.

Solution
We can start off here by acknowledging that we know,
=Q ( 0 ) 250
= and Q ( 5 ) 1600

If we use the first condition in the equation we get,

Q ( 0) =
250 = Q0e k ( 0) =
Q0 → 250
Q0 =

We now know the first unknown in the equation. Plugging this as well as the second condition into the
equation gives us,
1600
= Q=( 5) 250e5k
We can use techniques from earlier problems in this section to determine the value of k.
1600 = 250e5 k
1600
= e5 k
250
 32 
ln   = 5k
 5 
1  32 
= k = ln   0.3712596
5  5 
Depending upon your preferences we can use either the exact value or the decimal value. Note
however that because k is in the exponent of an exponential function we’ll need to use quite a few
decimal places to avoid potentially large differences in the value that we’d get if we rounded off too
much.

Putting all of this together the exponential growth equation for this population is,
1  32 
ln   t
Q = 250e 5  5 

(b) How long will it take for the population to grow from its initial population of 250 to
a population of 2000?
What we’re really being asked to do here is to solve the equation,
1  32 
ln   t
2000
= Q=( t ) 250e 5  5 

and we know from earlier problems in this section how to do that. Here is the solution work for this
part.
1  32 
2000 ln   t
= e5  5 
250
1  32 
ln ( 8 ) = ln   t
5  5 
5ln ( 8 )
=t = 5.6010
ln ( 325 )

It will take 5.601 days for the population to reach 2000.

Exponential Growth/Decay. Many quantities in the world can be modeled (at least for a short time) by
the exponential growth/decay equation.
Q = Q0e k t
If k is positive we will get exponential growth and if k is negative we will get exponential decay.
 16. We initially have 100 grams of a radioactive element and in 1250 years there will be 80 grams left.
(a) Determine the exponential decay equation for this element.
(b) How long will it take for half of the element to decay?
(c) How long will it take until there is only 1 gram of the element left?

Solution
(a) Determine the exponential decay equation for this element.

Hint : We have an equation with two unknowns and two values of the amount of the element left at two
times so use these values to find the two unknowns.

Solution
We can start off here by acknowledging that we know,
=Q ( 0 ) 100
= and Q (1250 ) 80

If we use the first condition in the equation we get,

Q ( 0) =
100 = Q0e k ( 0) =
Q0 → 100
Q0 =

We now know the first unknown in the equation. Plugging this as well as the second condition into the
equation gives us,
= (1250 ) 100e1250 k
80 Q=

We can use techniques from earlier problems in this section to determine the value of k.
80 = 100e1250 k
80
= e1250 k
100
4
ln   = 1250k
5
1 4
k= ln   = −0.000178515
1250  5 
Depending upon your preferences we can use either the exact value or the decimal value. Note
however that because k is in the exponent of an exponential function we’ll need to use quite a few
decimal places to avoid potentially large differences in the value that we’d get if we rounded off too
much.

Putting all of this together the exponential decay equation for this population is,
1 4
ln   t
Q = 100e 1250  5 

(b) How long will it take for half of the element to decay?
What we’re really being asked to do here is to solve the equation,
1 4
ln   t
= ( t ) 100e
50 Q= 1250  5 

and we know from earlier problems in this section how to do that. Here is the solution work for this
part.
1 4
50 ln   t
= e1250  5 
100
1 1 4
ln   = ln   t
 2  1250  5 
1250 ln ( 12 )
=t = 3882.8546
ln ( 54 )

It will take 3882.8546 years for half of the element to decay. On a side note this time is called the half-
life of the element.

(c) How long will it take until there is only 1 gram of the element left? [Solution]
In this part we’re being asked to solve the equation,
1 4
ln   t
= ( t ) 100e
1 Q= 1250  5 

and we know from earlier problems in this section how to do that. Here is the solution work for this
part.
1 4
1 ln   t
= e1250  5 
100
 1  1 4
ln  = ln   t
 100  1250  5 
1250 ln ( 100
1
) 25797.1279
=t =
ln ( 5 )
4

There will only be 1 gram of the element left after 25,797.1279 years.